He started his journalism career in 1992 as a freelance writer for Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest daily national newspaper and soon specialised in air transport. Jens joined Aviation Week and Aviation Daily in 2000 as one of the European correspondents. Later his role was expanded to cover international air transport. In 2013 he was named Managing Editor Commercial.
Jens frequently appears on radio and TV to comment on industry matters. In 2003, he received the Hugo Junkers Award of the German aviation press for his coverage of Fairchild Dornier’s bankruptcy. He was named the country’s top travel and air transport writer by the Travel Industry Club three times. Jens graduated from the Munich School of Journalism.
In what is the largest civil aircraft order of the year, Air Berlin yesterday bought up to 110 Airbus A320s to aggressively build its fleet and in turn stabilize the company's position as Europe's third-largest, low-fare airline.
Ryanair yesterday surprised financial markets with better-than- expected profits for the first half of its fiscal year as it kept a tight lid on costs. The airline's shares surged by as much as 11% in midday trading, reflecting the reaction on what has become a rare occurrence in the European airline sector: good news. Ryanair revenues were up 21% to EUR721 million (US$916 million), and the profit improved 15% to EUR201 million (US$255 million). The number of passengers flown rose 24% to 14 million.
Third-quarter profits at the SAS Group sank 90%, as the airline faced increased low-fare competition and overcapacity in its important Scandinavian home market. The airline's sales grew from SEK14.92 billion to SEK15.43 billion (US$2.2 billion), and it squeezed out a SEK57 million (US$8 million) profit for the period. Yields declined by 7%. Unlike some of its peers, SAS cannot offset weaker revenues in the European markets with the more stable long-haul market, as its exposure to transatlantic and Asian routes is very limited.
